When God Moved Out

Tisha B'Av and the truth of consequences.

Joan, a once-beautiful, recovering alcoholic, stood up at an AA meeting and told her story:

I married Jeff, my high school sweetheart, and we had two kids. I started drinking when our kids were little, but Jeff had no idea. I used to hide the bottles in very clever hiding places, and I drank vodka, so he never smelled it on my breath.

But then my drinking got worse. Often I couldn't get up in the morning to get the kids off to school because of a hangover, so Jeff found out. He warned me that if I didn't stop, I'd destroy our family. I thought he was just threatening and I didn't listen to him.

My drinking got worse. Jeff told me, over and over again, that he would divorce me if I didn't go on the wagon. But you have to understand that he was crazy about me and always had been, so I knew he'd never do it.

Then, in the middle of the night one night, I woke up from a drunken stupor. I must have been out for a long time, maybe the whole previous day. I looked around and discovered that Jeff and the kids were gone. I mean really gone. They had moved out and taken all their stuff with them. I couldn't believe it. Jeff was always crazy about me. I was sure he'd come back. I was sure until the day the divorce papers arrived by registered mail. Then I knew that I had ruined my life. That's when I started to come to AA.

Unheeded Warnings

On Tisha B'Av God walked out on us and took His house with Him.

Tisha B'Av marks the day when God walked out on us, and took His house with Him. Like the husband in this true story, He had warned us, the Jewish people, over and over again. Like the wife in this story, we were convinced that His love for us would keep Him with us forever. We continued to indulge in destructive actions, heedless of their effect on us and on our union with the Almighty.

And then one day – the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av – God did exactly what He had said He would do. He permitted our enemies to destroy the Holy Temple, which had been the resting place for the Divine Presence in this physical world, and He removed Himself from our lives.

The Jews of ancient Judea had never known life without God in their midst. The Temple of Solomon had dominated their existence for almost 400 years. Daily life in Jerusalem revolved around the Temple service, and even those who resided far away were obligated to make the pilgrimage to the Temple three times a year. Life without the Temple and the Divine immanence it represented was as inconceivable as ... the New York skyline without the World Trade Center.

The terrible day the Temple went up in flames was a day of defeat and death, of calamity and consternation. Yet the prevailing emotion, more than horror or grief, was disbelief. Just as Joan could not believe that her husband had really left her, so too the Jewish people – even after 150 years of Prophetic warnings – could not believe that God had really left them.

If we, the Jews of today, cannot muster grief over the calamity of Tisha B'Av, then we can find our point of connection elsewhere: in our same propensity to ignore consequences.

Consequences

Is it possible to be both smart and foolish?

God created an orderly universe, one of whose principles is that actions produce consequences. Yet the human capacity to ignore consequences is astounding. Witness the person who pays his hard-earned money to buy a packet of cigarettes emblazoned with the warning, in inch-high, bold letters: SMOKING KILLS.

Most smokers are not masochists nurturing a death wish. If you ask them, "Aren't you afraid of getting lung cancer?" they will answer: "Smoking won't kill me. Why, I know a guy who smoked a pack a day and lived to be ninety."

The same denial of consequences pertains when we:

Eat a second helping of ice cream, not believing that we won't be able to button our clothes tomorrow.

Flirt with a member of the opposite sex, not believing that it will negatively impact our marriage.

Cheat in business, not believing we'll ever get caught.

Hit or yell at our children, not believing that it will undermine the relationship a decade later.

Devote the best years of our lives to our careers, not believing that we may be forfeiting our chance to have a family.

How can Intelligent People Live In Such A Fantasy World, Where No Object Casts A Shadow?

False Prophets

God sent a steady succession of Prophets to ancient Israel to warn them that the consequences of their sins would be defeat, destruction, and exile. Why didn't they listen?

For every true Prophet, there were many false prophets. The Bible repeatedly exhorts the people not to listen to "false prophets." Thus, while Jeremiah was warning the people that if they did not change their ways, Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed, the false prophets were reassuring the people that everything would be okay.

The inner false prophet proclaims: "Do whatever you want, it's okay."

The voice of the inner false prophet proclaims: "You can do whatever you want, and it'll be okay." The voice of the inner true prophet proclaims: "Beware of the consequences of your actions!"

Ethics of the Fathers teaches that a wise person always asks the question: "If I do this, what will happen next?"

If I criticize my neighbor, what will happen next?

If I invite my pretty secretary out for a drink after work, what will happen next?

If I cheat on just this one exam, what will happen next?

If I yell at my mother, what will happen next?

Asking this question can save one from much folly and disastrous results.

Failure to contemplate consequences can lead to outcomes as insignificant as gaining a pound, or as significant as a divorce, or as cosmically catastrophic as the destruction of the Holy Temple and the departure of the Divine Presence from our midst.

The metaphor of Joan and Jeff does not totally apply here. On Tisha B'Av God "moved out," but he never divorced the Jewish people. God's Covenant with the Patriarchs promises that, no matter what we do, we will be His people eternally. God will never marry another people.

But even without a divorce, separation is a painful state. Being separated from one's beloved spouse, not living together, not sharing companionship, not enjoying an intimate bond – is that a consequence any wise person would choose?

By the time Joan woke up and went to AA, it was too late to save her marriage. For us Jews, it's never too late to reconcile with our God.

Sara Yoheved Rigler’s all-encompassing online marriage program, “Choose Connection: How to Revive and Rejuvenate Your Marriage” is available to Aish.com readers at a special price. Click here for more info: http://www.jewishworkshops.com/webinars/connection/

About the Author

Sara Yoheved Rigler is a popular international lecturer on subjects of Jewish spirituality. She has given lectures and workshops in Israel, England, France, South Africa, Mexico, Canada, Chile, Panama, and over 35 American cities. She is one of the most popular authors on Aish.com, world’s biggest Judaism website, and is a columnist for Ami Magazine. Sara Yoheved Rigler is the author of five best-sellers: Holy Woman; Lights from Jerusalem; Battle Plans: How to Fight the Yetzer Hara (with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller); G-d Winked; and Heavenprints . She gives a weekly Marriage Webinar for Jewish Workshops on a spiritual approach to marriage, with hundreds of members throughout the world. She lives in the Old City of Jerusalem. Her newest book, Emunah with Love and Chicken Soup, the story of Henny Machlis, the Brooklyn-born girl who became a Jerusalem legend, was was released in November, 2016. Her website is: sararigler.com.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 66

(63)
Anonymous,
August 2, 2017 2:04 AM

interesting I never heard of Tisha B'Av until 3 years ago

This must be something that religious Jews feel and think about. I grew up Reform and never once do I remember ever mourning the loss of any of the Temples. Reform Jews call their synagogues Temples. And, what does it have to do with ones personal life that the Temples were destroyed. We don't even mourn like this for dead relatives. I cried more at my brothers death than for the Temples. I just cannot related to it. I really don't see what AA and alcoholism has to do with destroying the Temples. It's apples and oranges. Yes, drinking can destroy a marriage. And this last US election has caused divorces with one spouse for Trump & the other against. How petty! So, destruction of both Temples then is for petty reasons? I thought Hashem had compassion for the Jewish nation. He destroyed His own home to teach us a lesson? Like blowing up homes of terrorists? Doesn't make any sense! I don't mourn nor fast. Today was like any other day except for reading this stuff.

(62)
Yarden,
July 20, 2015 12:22 AM

Much to Think About, Differing Opinons

This is obviously about Tisha B'av. The examples are so hitting home. Tisha B'Av is a good time to think about what we can do differently. For some of us,it was always what I could do differently more than what Hashem could have done. The world was more perfect than we could imagine at one point. I might be a dreamer to say that is still the case. But there is more good than we see, and the bad is pushed in our face by a strange, sick and greedy media.

(61)
zippi,
August 7, 2014 6:38 AM

thank you

Never before i had this experience to really feel the terrible loss! When will we turn back to HASHEM?
Thank you!!!
Gut shabbos!!!

(60)
Sharon,
July 30, 2012 10:59 AM

It is like "I can drive as fast / wild as I wish & nothing will happen to me - until the accident happens

(59)
patricia,
July 17, 2012 3:08 PM

patriciag11@wowway.com

G-d never moves out. We move out on G-d but G-d will always be there waiting for us to return .

(58)
Anonymous,
July 17, 2012 10:02 AM

Good to a point but the analogy breaks down

This article is good to a point but the analogy breaks down when considering the Holocaust. Such persecution/suffering that the Jewish people suffered cannot be understood by the human mind especially the killing of millions of Jewish children. It is time for G-d to take the 'wife back' and send Moshiach!

Miriam,
July 20, 2012 2:52 PM

Agree

I agree with you 100%
The holocaust is one of the many events, which I to this day do not understand how god could have just "walked out" on his children. Yes there was assimilation, but not everyone gave into it. Hearing stories of my own family members being shot for being jewish and observing the laws, in the way they knew how? That is not a way to take "revenge" on your nation, that is supposed to be the chosen one. Moshiac definitely needs to come now more than ever.

(57)
Yehudith Shraga,
July 16, 2012 6:44 PM

The problem is right the reason is wrong

The problems are stated correctly,and it may be enlarged by each person, BUT"Failure to contemplate consequences"is absolutly wrong, it is said by people to hide much deeper reason for it, and as Zohar states- when the Angle of Death knocks the person down,and puts the sword to his throat,the person opens his mouth and swallows the drop of poison runing down this sword straight into his mouth,in more everyday words,it is a patient who may not breath without oxigen,but goes with it to smoke, though the spark may blow the oxigen container,or may triger the set up of the sufocation which will end in intubation and lack of possibility of extubation and finally-DEATH, so do you still think that this person don't comtemplate the consequences-he undergoes the suffer and pain of the tremendous fear, because only he knows what it is not to be able to breath without oxigen or to sleep for years in sitting position, the drug abuser will tell you all his life in advance how it is going to end, but he will pay the last money for the dose, even if it is his children's bread money,even if it is a question of their life, and somebody still thinks that the reason is the lack of his/her understanding-NO, the reason is much deeper, and it is in the root of our nature, we are creation, which means the wish to enjoy,a wish to feel a pleasure,a wish to feel satisfaction, and there is nothing one can do against this fact, WHAT we ARE able to do is to redirect and find the pleasure and satisfaction in a different field altogether from the matirial one,and it is the spiritual development, which is endless and safe,BUT the price looks to our ego as an impossibly high! The ego should let another oppinion to have place within its realm= the wish to get for the sake of getting,and to get along with the fact that the endless pleasure may be only in the form of getting for the sake of bestowing,which is recieved by studing Torah and performing Mitzvot,no other way to brake a circle of addiction!

(56)
Michelle,
July 16, 2012 5:18 PM

thanks and G-d bless

may we all 'find' the time and words to confess and may your words here bless many more. life it seems is a never ending lesson, a balance between two worlds and yet one, if we could only keep on returning and accepting where and why... we are who and what and where we are! love and light

(55)
AH,
July 16, 2012 2:43 AM

CLARITY

Wonderful article and straight to the point - Now if I can only, Please Gd, brings these words to heart!
Redemption speedily in our days, Amen!

(54)
gayle gordon,
November 4, 2010 10:52 AM

sara, i always get so much out of your shiurim and articles. you could be my rebbetzin.

(53)
Anonymous,
November 4, 2010 10:52 AM

Smoking doesn't kill (since you die anyway) and eating a second helping of ice cream once in a while is not going to hurt despite what the health fascists say. If we abstained from everything that had the potential to hurt us, we would not last very long.

Anne Onimous,
August 9, 2011 10:08 PM

'Just because there's a pile of garbage in the middle of the street, doesn't mean you should throw your trash in it'. It's not abstaining from everything, it's about moral consciousness. Doctors are agents of G-d that could give you advice to keep healthy, since we do know the world is methodical, but laws of nature are broken since we have two sets of rules. Physical and Spiritual. They do coincide. Since G-d knows we are human, he forgives us if we seek redemption. Within ones self that could very much apply if you allow yourself to incorporate it. Cheers!

julia,
July 16, 2012 5:33 PM

smoking & eating

You're half right. You will die even if you never see a cigarette, and some smokers ,like Golda Meir, lived long lives. But smoking HAS hurt many others; why take a chance? As for the ice cream, it won't hurt you to overindulge on occasion. But how often is "on coccasion"? If 2 or 3 times a year, you're probably ok, but if it means 2 or 3 times a week, or a day, you WILL face consequences worse that being unable to button an article of clothing.

(52)
rivka malka,
November 4, 2010 10:51 AM

homeschooling thanks

Hi, I'm a homeschooling mother and I just went on aish to find some direction in giving over the message of the nine days. Your article was the first I read and it was just perfect. Thank you

(51)
Marlene Josephs,
November 4, 2010 10:51 AM

As I'm sitting here on Tisha B'Av reading this in the late afternoon...

Sara...GREAT article, as usual!!! You just made me think of something...how as parents we warn our children about how they are going to lose a privilege or something that they really want or presently treasure, and then they don't comply with our rules and it's gone. But we love them more than life itself and we want them to be happy and so when we think that they are changing their ways in the slightest we give them what they want or return what we took away. This is what HaShem did with us when He allowed the 2nd Temple to be built, but we broke His heart again and THIS time, He wasn't going to be as easy on us. This proves just how much He really does love us...but we have to earn His house back again. My heart is broken just like His and I cry so hard to think of how we messed up and continue to mess up. But I can't do it alone. As much as I daven for the Beit HaMikdosh and Moshiach and His help, I'm only one, albeit an important one but I need EVERYONE'S help to make Him give us what we really want and really need.
Again, thanks for such a wonderful, thought provoking article.

(50)
Dani Taylor,
November 4, 2010 10:50 AM

Wonderful Reading

Thank you for this. Articles like this are good to read on Tisha B'Av without being depressing, which is much appreciated.

(49)
Inez M. Dunker,
November 4, 2010 10:50 AM

Syma Rubenstein

I really like what she said, it is so true, I so believe this and I am a convert, "Judaism by Choice" there is no better relgion than Judaism. I love it and love Hashem, just wanting to make a difference in this world which G~d created, blessed are we! I felt so lost all my life until I discovered Judaism and Hashem. What is more important is that again I seek to be in the right place of worship and found it after a long deathly illness, I am a heart transplant and shortly after that converted by choice. Awesome is our G~D!!!! Gave me more life todothe right thing, gathering me unto Himself, how honored I am!
Love Ya!!
Rachel Ruth bat Avraham.

(48)
richard reiser,
November 4, 2010 10:49 AM

Great Piece! It's all about personal responsability.

It never fails to amaze me why people continue to make such foolish decisions about their lives as if there were no consequences for their behavior. The article would have been more complete if it were extended to our government leaders. After all, both in Israel and the US, we are supposed to be a 'light unto nations'. What better way than to create a responsible and ethical style of government to accomplish that.

(47)
Pessy,
November 4, 2010 10:48 AM

GREAT article! Thanks!

(46)
Syma Rubinstein,
November 4, 2010 10:48 AM

May we all be like the ancient Levites..and Live more Righteously and Courageously

I recently read that the Levy Tribe was the only people who did not join in with the Golden Calf when Moses went up to Mt Sinai. This one family who later were the Maccabbees stood by hashem while other Israelites gave up waiting for Moses. I am proud that both of my parents decend from this tribe..my mom a Levite, my dad was a cohan. I believe we all should live today like the Tribe of Levy did in those days..And just maybe the Moschiach will come sooner. I was raised in a kosher conservadox way and I think all of us need to get alittle closer to G-d now more than ever. We are living in stressful and confusing times but if we have the faith the Levites had, we will all do better.

(45)
rachel,
November 4, 2010 10:48 AM

thanks

thank you so much for your articles concerning Tisha bÂ´av!!!! they changed my relationship to haShem because I understand better now the concept of the marriage between gÂ´Â´d and the jewish people.thank you

(44)
michelle,
November 4, 2010 10:47 AM

good

very good content. it helped me have the right kavana in tisha b av.

(43)
AVRAHUM,
July 19, 2010 8:28 PM

Hashem did not divource us.

The story tells of a huband who will never be with his wife again. Due to our sins Hashem is just hiding his face, hiding his being from the Jews unitl the final redemption when all Jews will repent. We will be together with Hashem again unlike the husband and wife. Then we will see g-dliness again in everything we do with all Jews in Israel. May it happen soon.

(42)
raye,
July 12, 2010 5:21 AM

"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today"

It can be just as sinful to procrastinate and put off the necessary, even the slightest task, whether it is a phone call, a doctor's appointment, a thank you letter, even making the bed or washing the dishes until it is too late.

(41)
TSD,
July 12, 2010 12:20 AM

all of us

all of us are like a jack ass...only some of us have let G-d put a saddle upon us.

(40)
TSD,
July 11, 2010 7:39 PM

deny, ignore, wait and see...then complain, blame and still deny

Great article!!!
We tend to deny we have done anything, then deny anything will happen even if we have...ignore and ridicule anyone and everyone who gives us a stern warning and close our ears, pretending we never heard it...then wait around to see what happens because we really know that we have done something, but will not confess it and bring healing thereby...then when the levy breaks we want to complain about what someone else should have done about it...blame others because our house is 10 feet deep in water and mud...and then still run around and deny that we had anything to do with it...THIS IS WHY TO SHOW JUSTICE, TO LOVE MERCY AND TO WALK HUMBLY WITH OUR G-D...is all that is required...very simple...very hard to do because we are a rebellious and stiff necked people...heck, we would rather argue with MELECH HA' OLAM....rather than follow His instructions...I mean, what does He know?

(39)
Anonymous,
July 11, 2010 5:31 PM

Gueoni! i've really like it, thak's

(38)
Chaya Gordon,
July 11, 2010 2:27 PM

Very powerful and most appreciate as we get prepare for the 9 days. Thank you.

(37)
Eugene,
July 11, 2010 1:28 PM

Too simplistic

After WW11 in which I fought in Germany. I came to the conclusion that the Jews were not punished for their sins. The Nazis sinned and the world sinned for allowing it. Anti semitism is a cultural sickness. Not our fault , though cause and effect and measure for measure is true. It works for persons and nations.
"G-d" never left us. In our prayers our sins are communal not personal but it all works for all. Not just Jews.

(36)
shlomo,
July 12, 2009 9:52 PM

reason for destruction

i wish it was as simple as stopping a drinking habit.
it is simple to say- stop sinning.
we are humans not angels.
what exactly should we stop? how long are we to be hated persecuted by the nations of the world?

(35)
edithstal,
August 10, 2008 8:26 AM

jews need to reconnectto the Father

amazing comparrison and beautiful analogy of the destruction of the temple and our feeling to Hashem may we be zocheh to recieve moshiach before another rosh hashana starts!

(34)
Sibbie,
August 8, 2008 9:54 AM

Thank You I needed this WORD for the day bless you

(33)
Malka Peters,
August 7, 2008 9:17 PM

G-d can never move out.

Thank you for writing the article.Though it is not possible that G-d can move out on a person/the Jews. The soul, who you/we are is always with G-d. Remember the story of the little child who asks his few weeks old new sibling, "Tell me what G-d is like, I am beginning to forget." It is oh so easy though to get enmeshed with all these wordly things and forget about Him or lose sight of Him in your life. BUT you will always be able to find Him if you want to.

(32)
Hagit .H,
August 7, 2008 4:11 PM

critical word come with pleasentness

dear Joseph
you are right, is there another way that you could have said that then being to harsh?!
Hagit

(31)
rina,
August 7, 2008 12:42 PM

Good analogy

Your analogy brought tears to my eyes, and helped me understand better what it means to be distanced from Hashem, and to be grateful that we still have an opportunity for reconciliation. Thanks.

(30)
sarah,
August 7, 2008 11:59 AM

I knew I could count on you!

Hi Sara
I have been trying to get my arms around the true feelings of Tisha B'Av and to gain a better insight and your article crystalized the "feelings" for me. I can understand what the comment writer meant when he felt that you focused on our separation from G-d when in reality Hashem is just hidden from us. I personally don't think your article would have had the same profound impact if you had said hidden but still present and involved in our lives... in lieu of presenting the idea of a real loss and separation. For me, your article gets the point across suscinctly.... much more effectively and for that I thank you so much!
Many blessings for you and your family Sara!
from Sarah

(29)
Sarks,
August 7, 2008 11:51 AM

Very insightful

Rare illustration and explanation. I would now count the consequences before I act.

(28)
joseph m,
August 5, 2008 4:09 PM

I am disappointed in you. HE Never "removed Himself from our lives". He may have hidden Himself, He may as you say, have "moved out" but He never left us, He never removed Himself from our lives

(27)
Ilan,
June 4, 2008 11:20 AM

Beautiful Article!

This was very wise. It is important not to criticize unfairly, or yell at one''s spouse, because to do so could result in the destruction of the world.

(26)
Annette,
October 26, 2007 4:55 PM

Thank you Sara for this thoughtful article, it really makes me think of my choices and the consequences.

(25)
Chaya Beiler,
July 26, 2007 5:36 AM

Joan & Jeff &Tisha B'Av

Very touching article and to compare Tisha B'Av to Joan's life.I would like to know how Joan,Jeff & their children are doing today.I have found that the HaShem always tests our faith and brings us through everything in our life.Sara Yoheved Rigler I thank you for a beautiful article.Chaya Beiler (Bea)

(24)
Hayati Mitrani,
July 25, 2007 5:43 AM

An excellent essay ! Thank you very much for warning us about the false prophets. Even today we are being threatened by the golden calf, which is sometimes our carrier or a beautiful house. We are missing our lives for the sake of reaching our material goals.

Thanks again for this lovely article and regards from Istanbul Turkey

(23)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2007 3:07 PM

Thank you for this article. I too do not contemplate consequences. I choose to ignore instead. As a result of this essay I will try chaging negative actions on my part. I have a wonderful husband and children who worry about me as I do not take care of my health. I don't believe anything will happen to me. I don't wish to bring them such concern. I am also going against G d by not taking care of myself. Tisha B'av is helping me focus on what I have to do. Thank you for educating me about the history and meaning of Thisha B'av.Thank you also for calling my attention to Holywomen and other books written by Sara Rigler.

(22)
Laurie,
July 24, 2007 1:59 PM

Thank you, Mrs. Rigler for this clear, practical answer to the question, how can we, who never lived in the time of the Bais HaMikdash really mourn it's loss?

(21)
Anonymous,
July 24, 2007 10:46 AM

Dear aish.com,I would like to thank you for posting these wonderful articles about Tisha B'av. It really provides an understanding of what really happened on this day.Since Tisha B'av is in the summer and there isn't any school, not so many people really understand what this day is about.Once again, thank you so much.Let's hope that Hashem will bring the Maschiach very soon in the Zechus that all Bnei Yisrael think before they do an action.Sincerely,Blimi Black

(20)
julie,
July 24, 2007 10:07 AM

Tisha B'Av

i was just thinking this morning, on an article i am writing for the press about "secular jews" and their work to grow support for israel. a jew is a jew is a jew! i smiled wide, considering the fact that whether affiliated or not, a Jew is set apart for G-d's work, to repair the world, and that, is something that can never be breached!

(19)
Chaim,
July 24, 2007 8:36 AM

There are consequences for all we do

very enlightening -

we should think b4 we act - even the smallest action

(18)
chana tova,
July 24, 2007 3:03 AM

Hoping your message internalizes today on my soul

Hope your message from the Joan article emblazons itself today on my soul this holy day of Tisha B Av. Holywoman has turned me away from anger alot(I now read Rambam letter, suggested by the Holywoman in your book, almost daily), so REBZ. Rigler all the more power to you! Keep on writing for folks like me.

(17)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2007 2:30 PM

When G-D moved out

Very well written. Thank you.

(16)
FRIEDA,
July 23, 2007 1:27 PM

raised my awarness

great touching article. It certainly moved me. Now i am going to think of the consequences of all my actions.

(15)
ruty,
July 23, 2007 1:23 PM

thank you so much for this. it was really good and clear.

(14)
RG,
July 23, 2007 11:31 AM

Shaking

Wow, this article is unbelievable. It beings home the point of the churban better than anything I've read...

(13)
Anonymous,
July 23, 2007 9:45 AM

I loved this Tisha B'Av and the truth of consequences because I am in AA and Jewish!

(12)
wafula,
July 23, 2007 1:49 AM

inspiring message

(11)
David Funnell,
July 22, 2007 9:38 PM

What happened to the House of David?

I love the line that Nathan (in the name of HaShem) gives in responding to David, "I will built you a house." I am sure that is still happening through Torah study and worship in the Spirit. Miracles are happening more & more these days, and the glory of HaShem will cover the earth as waters, the sea!

(10)
shlomo,
July 22, 2007 8:04 PM

when God moved out...

after reading " when God moved out " i felt goose pimples and shivers run up and down my arms, and my heart beat faster for a moment.my wife and i just came back from Israel. we visit every year, but what we saw and heard this time was worse then the times before." the Kotel " was a heap of rocks, nothing more..our relatives were surprised to hear that we had a " Seder " at Pessach...that we should give up parts of Erets Israel in order to make peace with the arabs..that we should " dialogue" with them in order to be good neighbours.....after that tremendous week in 1967, israelis affirmed a " jerusalem united and our eternal capital "....today. they talk of giving up Jerusalem for the sake of peace.....i am afraid, Sara Riegler.....how long will Hashem's patience last in the face of his blind children running crazy...if i were Hashem, i know what i would do..but fortunately for them i am not Hashem...

(9)
vera de ruvo,
July 22, 2007 6:08 PM

Ionly hope that Hashem will never walk out again. We desperawly need him to bring our innocent soldiers back from an Iraqui hell. Most the innocent suffer for the guilty?

(8)
KAREN,
July 22, 2007 5:43 PM

GREAT ARTICLE

I REALLY ENJOYED THE METAPHOR/COMPARISON OF THE DRUNK MOTHER AND KLAL YISRAEL. IT SENT THE MESSAGE HOME. THANKS@1

(7)
Manasseh,
July 22, 2007 5:09 PM

Profound and though provoking

Yes indeed,It is time we woke up to the fact that theres nothing wrong with G-D but theres all kinds of things wrong with us.That it is not G-D who has to change to our ways, but we have to change to G-D's way

(6)
ec,
July 22, 2007 1:09 PM

Amazingly Powerful

This is one of Mrs. Rigler's best articles. She just hits you right between the eyes with the truth. I'm really going to try to apply her message of "If I do this, what will happen next?" to my life. Thank you!

(5)
Elena Eremeeva,
July 22, 2007 8:44 AM

Thank you, Sara!

Thank you, Sara!I am a Russian, making my way to Sukkot to Jerusalem this year and your articles are very precious to me for you give me not only moral revising, but also much Historic information which I need to understand your country better.Thank you!Elena.

(4)
Ruth Housman,
July 22, 2007 7:44 AM

the Ninth of AV

I think it's interesting that AV itself is a name/word that connotes The Father, being AV or Avinu. We do face consequences for our actions daily and yet, there are very good people who act with charity and nobility towards others who are also subject often to events that seem unnecessarily cruel. It is a question of when good things happen to bad people. Now surely the same God is responsible for all that happens on a more cosmic level. True prophets don't just prophesy, they tell about events that "do happen", meaning that good and bad events consequent to prophecies do imply some Act of God and a determinism that is difficult to escape. I do believe we often should learn from our mistakes but that often it takes a lot of repeats to drill in the message. If only we had such crystal balls as in the example of this woman addicted to alcohol. Now alcoholism and tobacco smoking are severe addictions. Quitting is not that easy and even knowing the consequences, people dying of cancer from tobacco are still smoking. This issues are complex. If God is God of ALL, meaning even those who do not believe, then I am saying there is a greater story that surrounds even our own, small stories and that surely the terrible things, if they are at all connected with God, then there must be some answer and that at some time in history I do believe we must get such answers and they will perhaps compel God to ask us for Forgiveness because without writing all of these stories, our lives, in this way, we could not move through time and this journey of soul.

(3)
Bob,
July 22, 2007 6:31 AM

Powerful message

This is a powerful message but is it powerful enough to get through our mind set of thinking that we are smarter than the Almighty? For some the answer is yes but for others little or nothing will be changed in their lives.

(2)
Anonymous,
July 18, 2007 9:41 PM

Reconciliation

OH! but, well said. May we reach that new level of humility required to begin reconciliation. Or maybe the road to reconciliation is the new level of humility.

(1)
Menashe Kaltmann,
July 18, 2007 6:52 PM

The Thief Who Prays To G-d

Thank you aish.com and Mrs Rigler for another great article.

Mrs Rigler illustrates a good point that sometimes we humans do things without realizing the consequences further down the road.

I think this is mentioned in Chassidic philosophy by way of an example/analogy:the case of the thief (the 'ganav') who prays to G-d that he should be successful in robbing a house.

I think this is part of the human pysche we all need to work on. The thief could pray to G-d that his livelihood could come in a 'kosher' way yet decides to pray to G-d for his 'parnassa' to come in this crooked way - and doesn't see the contradiction and wrongdoing in doing such an act.

I always loved the story of Jonah and the whale. Why do we read it during the afternoon service of Yom Kippur?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Let's recap the story: God tells Jonah to go to Ninveh and to prophesy that in 40 days, God will destroy the city. Instead, Jonah goes to Jaffa, boards a ship, and sails for Tarshish. A great storm arises. Frightened, Jonah goes to sleep in the ship's hold. The sailors somehow recognize that Jonah is responsible for the storm. They throw him overboard, and the sea becomes calm.

A great fish swallows Jonah. Then three days later, God commands the fish to spit Jonah back out upon dry land. God tells Jonah, "Let's try it again. Go to Ninveh and tell them in 40 days I will destroy the city."

The story is a metaphor for our struggle for clarity. Jonah is the soul. The soul is assigned to sanctify the world, and draw it close to God. But we are seduced by the world's beauty. (Jaffa in Hebrew means "beauty.") The ship is the body, the sea is the world, and the storm is life's pains and troubles. God hopes confrontation with mortality will inspire us to examine our lives. But Jonah's is the more common response - we go to sleep (have a beer, turn on the television). The sailors throw Jonah overboard - this is death. The fish that swallows Jonah is the grave. Jonah is spat back upon the land - reincarnation. And the Almighty tells us to try again. "Go sanctify the world and bring it close to God."

Each of us is born with an opportunity and a challenge. We each have unique gifts to offer the world and unique challenges to perfect ourselves. If we leave the task unfinished the first time, we get a second chance. Jonah teaches us that repentance can reverse a harsh decree. If the residents of Ninveh had the ability to correct their mistakes and do teshuva, how much more so do we have the ability to correct our former mistakes and do teshuva.

(source: "The Bible for the Clueless But Curious," by Rabbi Nachum Braverman)

In 1948, Egypt launched a large-scale offensive against the Negev region of Israel. This was part of the War of Independence, an attack by five Arab armies designed to "drive the Jews into the sea." Though the Jews were under-armed, untrained, and few in number, through ingenuity and perseverance they staved off the attacks and secured the borders. Yet the price was high -- Israel lost 6,373 of its people, a full one percent of the Jewish population of Israel at the time.

And what does teshuvah consist of? [Repentance to the degree] that the One Who knows all that is hidden will testify that he will never again repeat this sin(Maimonides, Laws of Teshuvah 2:2).

"How can this be?" ask the commentaries. "Inasmuch as man always has free choice to do good or evil, to sin or not to sin, how can God testify that a person will never repeat a particular sin? Is this not a repudiation of one's free will?"

The answer to this came to me at a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous, at which the speaker, a man who had been sober for twenty-one years, said, "The man I was drank. The man I was will drink again. But now I am a different man."

A sin does not occur in a vacuum. A person who is devout does not abruptly decide to eat treifah. A sin occurs when a person is in such a state that a particular act is not anathema to him.

Consequently, repentance is not complete if one merely regrets having done wrong. One must ask, "How did this sin ever come about? In what kind of a state was I that permitted me to commit this sin?"

True repentance thus consists of changing one's character to the point where, as the person is now, one can no longer even consider doing the forbidden act. Of course, the person's character may deteriorate - and if it does, he may sin again.

God does not testify that the person will never repeat the sin, but rather that his degree of repentance and correction of his character defects are such that, as long as he maintains his new status, he will not commit that sin.

Today I shall...

try to understand how I came to do those things that I regret having done, and bring myself to a state where such acts will be alien to me.

With stories and insights,
Rabbi Twerski's new book Twerski on Machzor makes Rosh Hashanah prayers more meaningful. Click here to order...